With all the challenges 2020 brought last year, there seemed to be an extra air of excitement around welcoming 2021. Now that vaccines are being administered and extra precautions taken, there is hope that we can return to life with more normalcy, sooner rather than later. Suffice it to say, we all look forward to the opportunity to gather with friends, attend sporting and live music events, go to a Broadway show, and hug loved ones without concern of contracting or spreading Covid. Until this time, here are some events we can look forward to enjoying this year.
The Super Bowl
The biggest football game of the year will take place on February 7, 2021 — the Super Bowl. While we still do not know what teams will be playing each other, we do know it is sure to be a great game since the AFC and NFC champions will face each other on the field. The commercials are always a big draw as is the half-time show. This year, The Weeknd will be performing during half-time. Wear your favorite team jersey and prepare some fun “football” snacks to make the viewing experience even more fun.
The Golden Globes
With a sharp increase in television and movie viewing over the last year, the Golden Globe Awards are sure to be highly anticipated this year. This award show recognizing excellence in film and television will be held on February 28 with Amy Poehler and Tina Fey tapped to host the event for the fourth time. Although the details of the show are still being determined, the viewing public can look forward to enjoying this annual award show.
50th Anniversary of Disney World
Fans of theme parks will be interested to know that October 1, 2021 will be the 50th anniversary of Disney World. The Magic Kingdom and related sites including Universal Studios and SeaWorld, will be unveiling new attractions including a “Guardians of the Galaxy” ride, a “TRON” ride, a “Ratatouille” attraction, “Jurassic World VelociCoaster, the “Ice Breaker” coaster and more. These iconic parks are welcoming visitors with added restrictions and safety guidelines, so you can feel more comfortable planning a visit in 2021.
Tokyo Olympics
The pandemic put a halt to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, but they have been given a green light for July 2021. The International Olympic Committee says that the events will have “a simpler, more restrained approach” this year. Highlights for these Olympic games include the addition of four new sports — karate, skateboarding, sport climbing and surfing. Baseball and softball will return for the first time since 2008. So, plan to be glued to your television July 23 through August 8 to view a wide array of impressive athletic feats displayed during these thrilling games.
Blood Moon
Mark your calendar for May 26 and prepare to (safely) view the full lunar eclipse. For almost 15 minutes, the moon’s surface will turn a reddish-copper color and put everyone in awe. At the appropriate time, don a pair of safe viewing glasses or view from a homemade eclipse viewer, hope for clear skies, and enjoy this amazing spectacle.
Meteor Showers
Another celestial event to add to your calendar is the Eta Aquarids meteor shower, which will peak on May 5-6. This shower, produced by dust particles from the comet Halley, will be another fantastic viewing opportunity.
Mars Landing
Space is getting a lot of billing in 2021. Another space event to add to the mix is the landing of a spacecraft on the planet Mars on February 18, 2021. On this day, a small spacecraft will fly across the skies of Mars and deploy a parachute that will then release a small, box-like device. The device will make its way to the Mars surface with the help of eight retro-rockets and work to fulfill a mission that includes looking for signs of ancient life, searching the Jezero Crater, site of a river valley that dried up billions of years ago, taking pictures, and looking for organic matter and fossils of ancient microbes. Earthlings will be able to view the event live on NASA’s YouTube channel.
The year ahead looks promising for things to be more normal in many respects. As we remain patient for Covid to become history, let us maintain an attitude of optimism and enjoy safe events like those shared above.